Aurora man accused of murder is assigned public defender

Family of victim attends hearing

As family members of Abigail Villalpando looked on Thursday, the Aurora man accused of murdering her had his first court hearing since he was ordered held on $5 million bond.

Juan Garnica Jr., 18, told Kane County Judge James Hallock that his family is trying to hire a private attorney to defend him on charges that he killed Villalpando, 18, then burned her body in a barrel in Aurora late last month.

The judge appointed a public defender to represent Garnica in the meantime and told him that he could face a 20- to 60-year prison sentence if convicted of murder.

Villalpando's parents and grandmother attended the brief hearing and afterward met with First Assistant State's Attorney Jody Gleason. The family members declined to speak with reporters after the meeting.

The hearing did not provide any additional information about the death of Villalpando, a West Aurora High School senior who worked as a server at a Denny's restaurant.

Authorities say Garnica attacked Villalpando on Jan. 31 with a hammer at the Aurora home of a mutual friend. After storing her body overnight in the garage, Garnica allegedly attempted to destroy it by incinerating it in a barrel.

He also is accused of abandoning Villalpando's car beneath a bridge in Aurora and setting it ablaze. Authorities found her remains in a wooded area in nearby Montgomery.

Two other men face lesser charges in connection with Villalpando's death. Both are due to make court appearances over the next week.